Dubai at dawn pictures

Time Out photographer Lester Ali captures the city at sunrise

By
Time Out Dubai staff
07 August 2012

Dubai is a very different place at dawn. It’s cooler, quieter and somehow feels a world away from the fast-paced cosmopolitan daytime hub we all know and love. From the bustle of the fish market and commuters at the bus station to serene seaside shots, we’ve captured the city, and its early risers, as you’ve never seen them. Maybe our photo diary, compiled by the same photographer over several days, will be enough inspiration for you to haul yourself out of bed to enjoy Dubai during its waking hours. Maybe…

5.30am: Horses at the Equestrian Centre, Al Sahra Desert Resort'It’s good to know these handsome creatures are kept cool during the hot months; it was great to watch them bathe and exercise.’Picture by Lester Ali

6.15am: Flamingoes at Ras Al Khor'It’s amazing that these bright, beautiful birds live only a short drive from the city.’Picture by Lester Ali

6.30am: Dubai Fish Market, near Shindagha Tunnel, Deira Creek'Shooting here was easy because there was so much energy, and so many busy exchanges about the daily catch first thing in the morning.’Picture by Lester Ali

6.40am: Jumeirah Open Beach'As I was on my way to the running track, I spotted a couple of taxi drivers standing at the track’s edge, enjoying the sunrise and stretching.’Picture by Lester Ali

6.45am: Running track, Jumeirah Open Beach 'A serene setting. I set myself up facing towards the sun and waited for joggers and bikers to pass by.’Picture by Lester Ali

6.50am: QE2, Port Rashid'Sadly, there’s no way to get inside the port, but I spotted this street cleaner on the grass by the fence with the QE2 in the background – a striking image – and I had to get the shot.’Picture by Lester Ali

7am: Dhows on Dubai Creek'I followed one of the trucks to the dock, before catching the guys as they started to unload the cargo into the dhow. I imagine this kind of industry hasn’t changed a great deal over hundreds of years.’Picture by Lester Ali

7.10am: Dubai Bus Station, Satwa'There’s a nice composition to this shot, as people wait for the next bus and the morning light hits them from the side.’Picture by Lester Ali

7.20am: The Shack, Umm Suqeim Beach'After stepping onto the sand, I waited for the canoeists to move into position in front of the rising sun.’Picture by Lester Ali

7.40am: Dubai Marina Walk'I loitered here, waiting for this part of town to wake up – I sat and watched joggers, housekeepers, anyone, do their thing. The aim was to capture these otherwise menial activities in the right light.’Picture by Lester Ali